Murf

The Murf are a spry race of Horned Koposerans long since under the guise of domestication. Although many Murf still dwell in wild settings, they’ve been increasingly incorporated into civilised society; breeds of Murf have been procured with dull senses, lack of antlers, and possessing great coats of their esteemed Murf-Hair. Murf-hair is an elastic and soft substance with a consistency much like cotton. In life, it helps to keep the Murf warm, but can be routinely harvested in order to create clothing, textiles, and fabrics. Among the most concentrated areas of Murf-Hair is the Murf’s signature ‘beard’; a protrusion of hair from either side of the head which then extends down the neck. This feature serves a dual purpose: to display to potential partners and to shield the throat from easy attack.

While the Murf may lack conventional weaponry, they are by no means defenceless. Their long striding legs permit them incredible speed, exceeding horses in a straight sprint (~50 Mph). These short bursts of speed combined with their remarkable manoeuvrability allow the Murf to weave out of danger to the safety of dense cover or the protection of a livestock guardian. If forced into fighting, they aren’t completely helpless - known to bite with their chewing teeth or kick with their front legs in the same way they would a rival. The effectiveness remains to be seen on larger predators, but it can leave bruises on exposed skin.

Murf are herd-dwelling creatures with a preference for large groups. These formations can reach several dozen in size with a pronounced skew of does to bucks; male Murf are very competitive over their respective turf and will only tolerate so many other males in their immediate. The herd is usually organised around a lead buck who is usually the largest and most experienced, though in his absence, the preference to follow an experienced does emerges. His position is fraught with peril as he may be challenged at any moment (outside of active life-or-death situations) by any other buck. Murf fights are remarkably vicious as either buck will attempt to mutilate the other's beard and worry their throats in an attempt to unseat them. The loser is always mutilated and is often banished from the herd entirely, facing almost certain doom with their existing injuries.

Type: Critter

Life expectancy: ~15 years

Height: 4'0" ft. [1,21 m.]
· Length: 5'8" ft. [1,72 cm.]

Weight: 125 lbs. [56 kg.]

Biome(s): Grasslands

Tameable: Yes

Murf have been widely domesticated, so many are amiable toward sapient races. They can be trained and confined to paddocks or respond to livestock guardians. Particularly in the presence of a guardian, they’ll choose to flee to them if threatened rather than the natural safety of the dense undergrowth. It can be ascertained from this behaviour that Murf believe their guardians provide them the same, if not more, protection than their natural avenues.

Goblins and Orcs, especially Orcs, have the oldest accords with the Murf species. Oral stories recount that Orc clans first domesticated the species several thousand years ago for their hair and meat. As such, Murf is preferred above all other domestic species by Orc people, often granted spiritual significance by individual clans. Some groups openly refuse to consume Murf flesh as a societal taboo, viewing it as no better than consuming a friend. In these circumstances, Murf are often incorporated into the tribal or familial structure and permitted to roam settlements without confinement.

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